Ladder.



M. F. ENKEi LADDER. APPLICATION men APR. 15. 1916.

Patented Jan. 1, 1918. Kala".

l/VVE/VTOR .Marzz'n F 57712 V. .mm'rrn r. or 'oaxt alvp me ts 4 ,L nnEn,A

To all whom it may concern: 1 .Be it kno\v11ithat"I,.MAR'r1N F.;.ENKE,citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county ofAlameda and State of-Califor'nia, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Ladders- 0f which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in ladders and more particularlyto a ladder adapted for use on incline surfaces such as is frequentlyfound in side hill orchards.

Another object of my invention is to provide a ladder which will standalone, which is light in weight, simple in construction and which iseasily adjusted when used in positions where the supporting surface isinclined.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinillustrated and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification,

Figure 1 is a. view in perspective showing my improved ladder in itsupright position and standing on a substantially level surface.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation showing the same as arranged for useon an incline surface.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in section showing the manner of holding theupper ends of the auxiliary feet.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in section through the top portion of theladder.

Referring to corresponding parts of the several views by the samenumerals of reference, 1 and 2 denote the side bars of my improvedladder having steps 3. \Vhile I have illustrated broad steps it will beunderstood that rungs may be used as in an ordinary ladder. To enablethe ladder thus formed to be supported in an upright position withoutleaning it against a building, tree or other object, I provide the bracemember 4 on the top of which is secured bars 5 which are pivotallymounted on a rod 6 extending across the top of members 1 and 2.

It is often desirable to use a ladder in a position where the supportingsurface is inclined in such a direction that if members 1 and 2 restedthereon the ladder would not stand vertically. To provide for such casesSpe fi r-F 6f t r at Patented Jan. 1,1918.

Application filed Apri115,1916. Seri a1No.91,481. I

the auxiliary supporting members 7 V are, secured to the. side members 1and 2..-.Eac-h-of thesesilpports consists of a flat'member'hav-i 5.8 andthe side members 1 and 2 have a recess 9 formed therein on the outsideof which is secured a plate 10. This plate has an elongated slot 11, and12 denotes a bolt having a large head 13 which extends into recess 9,the shank extending through slots 11 and 8. On the outer end of 12 is awinged nut 13 enabling the upper end of member 7 to be secured at anydesired position along a plate 10.

The lower ends of members 7 are connected to the lower, end of theladder by means of links 15 which are pivotally secured at one end tothe lower step of the ladder and on the other ends of members 7 adjacentthe bottom. Said links serve to maintain the legs'in such position thatthe longitudinal median lines thereof are approximately opposite thelongitudinal inedian lines of the side bars of the ladder. Blocks 16 areattached on the bottom of members 1 and 2, giving to the ladder greaterbearing surface and also when members 7 are in their folded position toprovide a substantially flush surface as the lower end of members 7 foldin above these blocks.

When this ladder is to be used on an uneven surface, such as is shown inFig. 2. the winged nuts 13 are unloosened and when the ladder is stoodin a vertical position the members 7 are moved until their lower endsrest on the ground. Thus on the upper side of the incline the one ladderleg and one member 7 bear on the ground, while on the lower side, onlythe members 7 rest on the supporting surface. In this position thewinged nuts are tightened and the ladder is thus supported in thevertical position, the weight on the lower side being supported by theauxiliary leg 7. The upper ends of the members 7 cannot move, due to themanner of binding them to the sides of the ladder, while the lower endsare held through the links 15. When the ladder is not in use thesemembers 7 may be folded flat against the side bars 1 and 2 and thesupporting leg 4 is folded flat against the steps, thus making thedevice compact and readily handled.

Vhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it will beunderstood that minor changes may be made in der body having side barsprovided with longitudinal slots therein, bolts slidable in said slots,auxiliary legs, outwardly curved plates attached to the upper ends ofsaid auxiliary legs and having slots to receive said bolts, whereby saidauxiliary legs may be adjusted to swing in an are from the lad der bodyand links connecting said legs and the ladder body.

2. An improved ladder comprising a ladder body, auxiliary legs providedwith outwardly curved plates at their upper ends, means for detachablyconnecting said plates to the ladder body, said means being adjustablelongitudinally of said body, and links 20 connecting said auxiliary legsand the ladder body i In testimony whereof I afhx mv signature.

MARTIN F; ENKE.

Copies of this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C.

